A court-ordered clampdown on mining sand, soil and gravel is beginning to hurt the construction business and infrastructure projects such as roads and highways.

PANJIM: The State government in an attempt to ‘put things in order’ has made three inspections per mine compulsory, while non-working, abandoned mines or mines under prospective working or under re

The government on Monday said states have detected a total of 25,519 illegal mining cases with fines worth Rs 622 crore realised, till June of the current fiscal.

The maximum number of illegal mining cases detected and fines recovered are from Maharashtra at 7,721 and Rs 131 cr respectively

The government today said states have detected a total of 25,519 illegal mining cases with fines worth Rs 622 crore realised, till June of the current fiscal. Both the maximum number of illegal mining cases detected and fines recovered are from Maharashtra at 7,721 and Rs 131.43 crore respectively, Mines Minister Dinsha Patel said in Rajya Sabha.

Total of 108 lessees in the dock for producing ore in excess of the quantum approved under Act

Continuing its crackdown on excess ore extracted by mine owners, the Odisha government has initiated prosecution against 11 mine owners for raising ore beyond the approved limits of Environment (Protection) EP Act-1986. A total of 108 lessees are in dock for producing ore in excess of the quantum approved under EP Act. For the balance 97 lessees, collectors of respective districts have been asked to initiate prosecution. The violations have been recorded in case of iron ore, manganese, chromite, limestone, dolomite and quartzite mines.

Bhubaneswar The Orissa government’s decision to recover Rs 57,907 crore from 27 mining lessees for extracting minerals in excess of the approved plan has upset the state mining sector. Many in the mining industry and experts have expressed their surprise over the state government’s action.

“The decision is illegal,” said Ashok Parija, former president of Bar Council of India. Parija said the extraction of minerals in excess of mining plan is not illegal, terming the notice served under Section 21(5) of the MMDR Act 1957 and fines imposed as not correct.

Affected mine owners point out that the govt’s October 26 order is retrospective.

In a blow to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), the Odisha government has refused allotment of iron ore mines in favour of the navratna PSU.

The state government has communicated its decision to the steel maker, citing its inability to allot iron ore mines since it has already decided to reserve all the balance mineral bearing areas in favour of its own PSU- Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). “Your request for allotment/reservation of good iron ore blocks in Odisha in favour of RINL may not be considered as the state government through a resolution dated September 18, 2012 has decided to reserve the remaining area bearing iron ore for undertaking prospecting or mining operation through OMC”, B Behera, under secretary (steel & mines) wrote to RINL's chairman and managing director.